Addio Giuseppe
Once, when I woke briefly in reanimation, there were two other patients there. One was a young man of about 23 years old, and I was told that he had a brain aneurysm caused by the same for of leukemia that killed Fran. I was reminded of what a cruel and sudden killer leukemia can be.
Several other times, as I struggled toward consciousness, I remember having seen first his mother, then his father, and then his girl friend standing by his bed, always with at least two hospital personnel. They were talking quietly and briefly to him, saying their good byes. They had brought some of his favorite things to lay on his bed, including a soccer jersey signed with affection to him by Luca Toni, former striker for Palermo, who went on to Florence, and now plays in the Bundeslegge for Bayern Munich, as well as staring for the Italian national team.
One wall of the reanimation room was all windows, and family members and friends not allowed to enter the room could pass by and look at their loved one. His other relatives were there several times, and once his sister tried to open the window and climb into the room to be closer to him. I am only sorry there was not room and ability to allow all to get close for a last good bye.
I remember particularly once when an old man was standing near the open window. He was quietly calling out: 'Giuseppe, sveglia. Giuseppe, sono io, tuo nonno. Sveglia, Giuseppe, sveglia, sonno io. Giuseppe.'
'Giuseppe, wake up. Giuseppe, it is me, your grandfather. Wake up, Giuseppe, wake up. It is me. Giuseppe.'
Later I woke up and watched the doctor call the time of death, and watched the five staff persons join hands in brief prayer, and with tears in their eyes, detach the medical machines from the shell that had enclosed Giuseppe's spirit.
My heart goes out to his family, and most particularly to his grand father, whose soft, pliant voice echos in my ears, and brings tears to my eyes.
Addio Giuseppe. Tu era bravo.
Several other times, as I struggled toward consciousness, I remember having seen first his mother, then his father, and then his girl friend standing by his bed, always with at least two hospital personnel. They were talking quietly and briefly to him, saying their good byes. They had brought some of his favorite things to lay on his bed, including a soccer jersey signed with affection to him by Luca Toni, former striker for Palermo, who went on to Florence, and now plays in the Bundeslegge for Bayern Munich, as well as staring for the Italian national team.
One wall of the reanimation room was all windows, and family members and friends not allowed to enter the room could pass by and look at their loved one. His other relatives were there several times, and once his sister tried to open the window and climb into the room to be closer to him. I am only sorry there was not room and ability to allow all to get close for a last good bye.
I remember particularly once when an old man was standing near the open window. He was quietly calling out: 'Giuseppe, sveglia. Giuseppe, sono io, tuo nonno. Sveglia, Giuseppe, sveglia, sonno io. Giuseppe.'
'Giuseppe, wake up. Giuseppe, it is me, your grandfather. Wake up, Giuseppe, wake up. It is me. Giuseppe.'
Later I woke up and watched the doctor call the time of death, and watched the five staff persons join hands in brief prayer, and with tears in their eyes, detach the medical machines from the shell that had enclosed Giuseppe's spirit.
My heart goes out to his family, and most particularly to his grand father, whose soft, pliant voice echos in my ears, and brings tears to my eyes.
Addio Giuseppe. Tu era bravo.
posted by Steve at 2:49 PM
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